Elvis and Ginger: Elvis Presley's Fiancée and Last Love Finally Tells Her Story by Ginger Alden Page A
Authors: Ginger Alden
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knew this song had touched Elvis deeply, as I recalled him singing and talking about it onstage, the first time I saw him perform back in July. Elvis would play this album many more times for me while we were in Las Vegas.
• • •
With no show until the next evening, Elvis had time to relax. I followed him into the bedroom, thinking we might rest, but he stayed up as various employees popped in and out, some going over business and others just checking to see if he needed anything.
Dr. Ghanem stopped by to say hello, making me wonder what had happened to Dr. Nichopoulos. When Elvis wanted to speak to one of his staff privately, he’d sometimes gesture to the bathroom door and jokingly say, “Step into my office.” I decided it made sense; the bathroom was private and more convenient for him than going to an outer room or asking others to leave.
When things quieted down and we were finally relaxing in bed, Elvis picked up a book. This time it was
The Prophet
by Kahlil Gibran, the Lebanese philosopher and artist. I didn’t know it yet, but during the intimate months we would spend together, Elvis would refer to this book many times. It was an important philosophical touchstone for him.
Elvis turned the book over and showed me the author’s photo on the back cover. “Doesn’t he have a knowing look?” he asked.
I took in what seemed to me to be a pensive Gibran and answered yes.
The Prophet
spoke of a person named Almustafa who was waiting to return home after living twelve years in the city of Orphalese. With sadness, he answers questions from the people of the isle before he departs.
Elvis singled out some quotes and read them to me. One of them came from a section where Almustafa is asked to speak of love:
When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you believe in him, Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden. For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Elvis read the words with great passion and power. I could sense that he really wanted to grasp what the author knew or how Gibran had been feeling in order to write this way. For my part, I listened to the words and felt my own inexperience in relationships. At age twenty, I had yet to know a truly great love. Would Elvis be my first?
After sharing these passages with me, Elvis explained, “I don’t think a person can control love. When it happens, you just go along with it and try your best to be prepared for the good and bad.”
And, when Almustafa is asked what of marriage, Gibran wrote these words:
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
At one point during this reading, Elvis paused to smile and say, “I think I could be engaged to you,” then returned his attention to the book.
I was no longer concentrating on the book. I was too flabbergasted.
Engaged?
Had I heard Elvis right?
I decided he was joking, saying this just because we happened to be reading together and enjoying ourselves. We’d only been together, in all, about a week.
Still, his statement hung over me as Elvis continued to read, emphasizing certain words and shaking his head in amazement at their power.
I thought the writing was wonderful, too, and found myself going over quotes and asking questions while Elvis analyzed different passages from the book. Even in such a short time, I could feel that reading with him was helping me learn and grow.
A little while later, Elvis paused again and shut his eyes. “You know, when I close my eyes, I can envision you
• • •
With no show until the next evening, Elvis had time to relax. I followed him into the bedroom, thinking we might rest, but he stayed up as various employees popped in and out, some going over business and others just checking to see if he needed anything.
Dr. Ghanem stopped by to say hello, making me wonder what had happened to Dr. Nichopoulos. When Elvis wanted to speak to one of his staff privately, he’d sometimes gesture to the bathroom door and jokingly say, “Step into my office.” I decided it made sense; the bathroom was private and more convenient for him than going to an outer room or asking others to leave.
When things quieted down and we were finally relaxing in bed, Elvis picked up a book. This time it was
The Prophet
by Kahlil Gibran, the Lebanese philosopher and artist. I didn’t know it yet, but during the intimate months we would spend together, Elvis would refer to this book many times. It was an important philosophical touchstone for him.
Elvis turned the book over and showed me the author’s photo on the back cover. “Doesn’t he have a knowing look?” he asked.
I took in what seemed to me to be a pensive Gibran and answered yes.
The Prophet
spoke of a person named Almustafa who was waiting to return home after living twelve years in the city of Orphalese. With sadness, he answers questions from the people of the isle before he departs.
Elvis singled out some quotes and read them to me. One of them came from a section where Almustafa is asked to speak of love:
When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you believe in him, Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden. For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Elvis read the words with great passion and power. I could sense that he really wanted to grasp what the author knew or how Gibran had been feeling in order to write this way. For my part, I listened to the words and felt my own inexperience in relationships. At age twenty, I had yet to know a truly great love. Would Elvis be my first?
After sharing these passages with me, Elvis explained, “I don’t think a person can control love. When it happens, you just go along with it and try your best to be prepared for the good and bad.”
And, when Almustafa is asked what of marriage, Gibran wrote these words:
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
At one point during this reading, Elvis paused to smile and say, “I think I could be engaged to you,” then returned his attention to the book.
I was no longer concentrating on the book. I was too flabbergasted.
Engaged?
Had I heard Elvis right?
I decided he was joking, saying this just because we happened to be reading together and enjoying ourselves. We’d only been together, in all, about a week.
Still, his statement hung over me as Elvis continued to read, emphasizing certain words and shaking his head in amazement at their power.
I thought the writing was wonderful, too, and found myself going over quotes and asking questions while Elvis analyzed different passages from the book. Even in such a short time, I could feel that reading with him was helping me learn and grow.
A little while later, Elvis paused again and shut his eyes. “You know, when I close my eyes, I can envision you
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